209 results about "Membrane glycoproteins" patented technology

This invention provides a method of inhibiting HCV infection of a cell susceptible to HCV infection which comprises contacting the cell with an amount of a compound effective to inhibit binding of an HCV envelope glycoprotein to a DC-SIGN protein present on the surface of the cell, so as to thereby inhibit HCV infection of the cell susceptible to HCV infection. This invention provides a method of inhibiting HCV infection of a cell susceptible to HCV infection which comprises contacting the cell with an amount of a compound effective to inhibit binding of an HCV envelope glycoprotein to a DC-SIGNR protein present on the surface of the cell, so as to thereby inhibit HCV infection of the cell susceptible to HCV infection. Compounds of the present invention inhibit HCV infection of cells susceptible to HCV infection. The compounds of the present invention preferably have specificity for preventing or inhibiting infection by HCV and do not inhibit infection by other viruses, such as HIV, that may utilize DC-SIGN or DC-SIGNR for infection. Moreover the compounds of the present invention preferably do not interfere or inhibit members of the immunoglobulin superfamily, in particular, the compounds do not interfere with ICAM-2 or ICAM-3 or with ICAM-2-ilke, or ICAM-3-like molecules.

Novel activating receptors of the Ig super-family expressed on human myeloid cells, called TREM(s) (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells) are provided. Specifically, two (2) members of TREMs, TREM-1 and TREM-2 are disclosed. TREM-1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed selectively on blood neutrophils and a subset of monocytes but not on lymphocytes and other cell types and is upregulated by bacterial and fungal products. Use of TREM-1 in treatment and diagnosis of various inflammatory diseases is also provided. TREM-2 is also a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed selectively on mast cells and peripheral dendritic cells (DCs) but not on granulocytes or monocytes. DC stimulation via TREM-2 leads to DC maturation and resistance to apoptosis, and induces strong upregulation of CCR7 and subsequent chemotaxis toward macrophage inflammatory protein 3-β. TREM-2 has utility in modulating host immune responses in various immune disorders, including autoimmune diseases and allergic disorders.

Novel activating receptors of the lg super-family expressed on human myeloid cells, called TREM(s) (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells) are provided. Specifically, two (2) members of TREMs, TREM-1 and TREM-2 are disclosed. TREM-1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed selectively on blood neutrophils and a subset of monocytes but not on lymphocytes and other cell types and is upregulated by bacterial and fungal products. Use of TREM-1 in treatment and diagnosis of various inflammatory diseases is also provided. TREM-2 is also a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed selectively on mast cells and peripheral dendritic cells (DCs) but not on granulocytes or monocytes. DC stimulation via TREM-2 leads to DC maturation and resistance to apoptosis, and induces strong upregulation of CCR7 and subsequent chemotaxis toward macrophage inflammatory protein 3-β. TREM-2 has utility in modulating host immune responses in various immune disorders, including autoimmune diseases and allergic disorders.

Immunological reagents obtained from multimeric forms of the HIV-2 and SIV envelope glycoproteins and their use in the detection of HIV-2, particularly, the HIV-2 proteins gp300, p200, p90, and p80, and gp300 of SIV.

The present invention relates, in general, to an immunogen and, in particular, to an immunogen for inducing antibodies that neutralize a wide spectrum of HIV primary isolates and / or to an immunogen that induces a T cell immune response. The invention also relates to a method of inducing anti-HIV antibodies, and / or to a method of inducing a T cell immune response, using such an immunogen. The invention further relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding the present immunogens.

The invention provides modified HSV vectors that exhibit enhanced entry of cells, either through direct infection and / or lateral spread. In one aspect, HSV vectors of the present invention can directly infect cells through interaction with cell proteins other than typical mediators of HSV infection. In another aspect, the invention provides an HSV vector, which exhibits lateral spread in cells typically resistant to HSV lateral spread, such as cells lacking gD receptors. The invention further provides DNA encoding mutant forms of the HSV gB and gH glycoproteins, stocks of the inventive virus, and methods for effecting viral targeting and efficient entry of cells. The invention also pertains to the use of the inventive vectors for treating cancers.